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Solicitor requesting special prosecutor in Mason battery case

The office of solicitor general for Richmond County is recusing itself and requesting a special prosecutor in the domestic violence case against Augusta Commissioner Alvin Mason.

State Court Solicitor Charles Evans said Tuesday he is drafting a request for Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens to appoint a special prosecutor in the case against Mason.

Mason, 49, was arrested Dec. 27 on a single count of battery against his wife at their Hephzibah home Dec. 23.

Velma Mason told deputies that the commissioner grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the wall during an argument that turned physical, according to an incident report.

Mason was allowed to turn himself in at the Richmond County Jail with a pre-set $1,200 bond on Dec. 27 by Chief State Court Judge Richard Slaby. Slaby said he agreed to the arrangement because the victim had indicated no history of violence and that she wanted to continue contact with her husband.

Evans said he expected Olens' office to name someone from outside Augusta to prosecute Mason.

The Augusta Commission sets the budget for the Solicitor's Office, which prosecutes most DUI, traffic, domestic violence and other misdemeanor cases.

Mason, who has not returned calls requesting comment, was first elected to the commission in 2007. In 2009 the commission voted him mayor pro tem, a title he held for two years.